Did you find an injured or baby bird that may need help?
Things to consider: is it injured, orphaned, or a fledgling?
Tahoma Bird Alliance is not a licensed bird rehabilitation facility so when in doubt, it is best to call one of the listed help agencies below. However, we do receive many calls with questions regarding what to do about injured, sick, or orphaned birds. But sometimes, particularly in Spring and Summer, the bird is a fledgling and is best left alone!
If it is pink or gray, with little or no feathers, dragging itself or unable to move, it is a nestling. If a baby bird’s parents are known to be deceased or have not returned to the baby bird in 2 hours, the bird should go to a rescue or rehabilitation center regardless of age, injury, or health.
If the baby bird is larger, covered in scruffy feathers, and can hop and flutter, it’s likely a fledgling. Try to determine if the bird is healthy: Is the bird breathing heavily, shaking, only able to move by dragging itself, or seems lethargic? Are its feathers wet (without there being any rain) or greasy? Is it surrounded by flies (indicating a possible hidden injury)? If yes, please try calling the closest wildlife rescue centers. Always wear gloves, and wash hands after touching the bird--some bird diseases are transferable to humans!
If the bird is healthy, leave it alone unless it's in direct danger (on a sidewalk or road, a cat is present, etc). Move it to the nearest safe location (in or under a bush, on a ledge away from traffic, or even in a hanging basket may work) and observe from a distance if possible. Contact the closest wildlife rescue center if the parent hasn’t returned in 2 hours.
Bird and Animal Rescue Resource List
Department of Fish and Wildlife:
Not easy to get a hold of; try rehab centers first
General: 1-877-933-9847
Regional Office Pierce/Thurston: 360-249-4628
Regional Office King: 425-775-1311
Raindancer Wild Bird Rescue
Owls, bats, raptors, crows, and ravens
Serves entire state
3704 Griffin Ln SE, Olympia, WA 98501
360-970-5402
Puget Sound Wildcare
Birds and small animals
Emergency Care Only--ie not suitable for a healthy orphaned bird
Serves Western WA, primarily King and Pierce counties
28727 216th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98042
9 AM to 6PM 6 days a week; 10AM to 6PM Wednesdays
360-866-8917
Sarvey Wildlife Center
Accepts all birds and animals including large predators
Serves entire state, primarily Snohomish, King, Skagit, Pierce, Island counties
8AM to 4PM 7 days a week
13106 148th St NE, Arlington, WA 98223
360-435-4817
PAWS
Accepts all birds and animals including large predators
Serves entire state; accepts large predators from out of state
15305 44th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98087
8AM to 6PM 7 days a week
425-412-4040
West Sound Wildlife
Accepts all birds and animals except seals, bears, and cougars
Serves all of West Puget Sound Area
7501 NE Dolphin Dr, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
7 days a week, 9AM to 3PM
206-855-9057
Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Accepts all birds and animals including large predators
Serves San Juan Islands, Whidbey Islands, Skagit County
284 Boyce Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
24 hours a day
360-378-5000
Whatcom Humane Society
Accepts all birds and animals including large predators
Serves Whatcom county, West WA for emergency care
2172 Division Street, Bellingham WA 98226
360-966-8845
Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue
Accepts all birds including owls and raptors
Serves primarily Olympic Peninsula; accepts birds from entire state
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-379-0802
For Heaven’s Sake Animal Rescue
Rock pigeons, collared doves, and house sparrows
Limited Capacity
Serves Thurston County
360-273-0550